Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Beltrami County criminal complaint says James Edward Kingbird Sr. of Redby was stopped in Bemidji after police saw a brake light issue on his vehicle.
Charge Filed After Traffic Stop
According to the complaint, Kingbird now faces a gross misdemeanor charge. Prosecutors allege he drove a vehicle without a required ignition interlock device. The case was filed in Beltrami County District Court.
The complaint says the traffic stop happened on February 22, 2026, at about 3:30 p.m. Court records say police stopped the vehicle after seeing an inoperable rear center brake light. The filing says that the issue led to the traffic stop in Bemidji.
What The Complaint Alleges
After the stop, the complaint says police identified the driver as James Edward Kingbird Sr. The filing says Kingbird told the officer he had an ignition interlock restriction. The complaint also says he admitted there was no ignition interlock device in the vehicle.
Authorities later confirmed that his driver’s license carried that restriction, according to the complaint. Prosecutors claim that placed him in violation of the terms tied to his driving status. The charge falls under Minnesota’s driver restriction law.
The complaint lists the maximum penalty as 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both. A criminal complaint contains allegations. It is not a conviction. The case will move through the court process unless it is dismissed or resolved.
Date Discrepancy In Filing
One part of the complaint lists the offense date as February 22, 2026. Another section describes the offense as happening on February 23, 2025. The filing does not explain that difference. The court record may later clarify that point.
The defendant’s listed address is in Redby. The complaint was filed under a Beltrami County court case number. No police officer names are included here.
Related Resources
- Minnesota Statute 171.09
- Minnesota Statute 169.57
- Minnesota Ignition Interlock Device Program
- Minnesota Court Records Online
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
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